Johanneshof Marlborough Pinot Gris 2022 $35 This is a dry, mineral-edged style of pinot gris for Johanneshof. The colour has a slight rose gold tweak to it and aroma-wise it’s showing notes of nashi but it’s also displaying a tropical, herbaceous edge meaning you could almost call it a gris for sauvignon lovers. Crisp, dry … Read More
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St Pauli Vineyard Moutere Chardonnay 2020
St Pauli Vineyard Moutere Chardonnay 2020 $23 This tiny property is owned by Robyn Reid (a midwife) and her husband Gareth (a roofer), ex-pats from the UK, who opted to scoot to the other side of the world in 2017 to have babies and immerse themselves in the much more stressful life of learning to … Read More
Te Mata Estate Cape Crest Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2020
Te Mata Estate Cape Crest Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2020 $34.90 One sip and you’ll see straight away how this wine has become an absolute aristocrat in sauvignon blanc circles. Gorgeously golden in the glass, it’s crafted from a blend of 85% sauvignon blanc, 9% semillon and 6% sauvignon gris which is gently fermented in … Read More
Bald Hills Kirameki Central Otago Pinot Gris 2021
Bald Hills Kirameki Central Otago Pinot Gris 2021 $30 Every year the team at Bald Hills release a Kirameki – I get super excited, and it’s fast becoming one of my favourite Central Otago examples. Soothing to sip, yet it’s laced with energetic acidity and complex baking spice notes and the nashi and quince core … Read More
Greywacke Marlborough Wild Sauvignon 2019
Greywacke Marlborough Wild Sauvignon 2019 $36 Paired with Annabel Langbein’s Smoked Salmon & Egg Gratin in NZ Herald Canvas Sat Aug 20 2022. Crafted from fruit grown in Marlborough’s Southern Valleys in the Renwick, Rapaura and Woodbourne regions, this intensely delicious-yet-delicately stylish sauvignon is laced with marzipan, sugar snap peas, homemade lemonade and loads of … Read More
Bald Hills Last Light Central Otago Riesling 2020
Bald Hills Last Light Central Otago Riesling 2020 $30 Paired with Annabel Langbein’s Kedgeree in NZ Herald Canvas Aug 20 2022. If Pete Bartle ever makes a riesling that isn’t exceptionally balanced and beautiful, then stick a fork in me, ‘cos I’m done. Sourced from Bald Hills’ Bannockburn site, the single hectare of vines that … Read More
Abbey Estate Bridge Pa Hawke’s Bay Viognier 2021
Abbey Estate Bridge Pa Hawke’s Bay Viognier 2021 $25 Back in 2002 when Feilding dairy farmer Warren Haworth reached 50, he decided to reward himself and his wife Jan with a new life in Hawke’s Bay making wine. A new life of backbreaking work, little reward and even less sleep. But today, with the help … Read More
Richmond Plains Organic Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2021
Richmond Plains Organic Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2021 $22 I’m loving that this sauvignon is subtle and softly herbaceous on the nose (tomato leaf and basil anyone?) and gently zesty on the palate rather than punching you in the face with those boring, blousy-sweet passionfruit and lemonade layers that many commercial examples flout. I’m now also … Read More
McArthur Ridge Falls Dam Central Otago Pinot Gris 2021
McArthur Ridge Falls Dam Central Otago Pinot Gris 2021 $24.99 Re-tasted Feb 3rd 2023 – evolving exceptionally well Alexandra’s extreme seasonal climate fluctuations keep the vines on their toes, turning out finely-tuned pinot gris with great tension and concentration. Nashi notes merge with fresh apple and yellow, Mirabelle plum plushness, frisky acidity and excellent length … Read More
Kokako Farms Awen Ohiti Valley Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2019
Kokako Farms Awen Ohiti Valley Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2019 $55 Winemaker Bruce Nimon has crafted a beautifully toasty, citrus-centric superstar chardonnay right here. A wine absolutely bursting with stylish stonefruit and showing exactly why the Ohiti Valley is one of the most exciting subregions in the Bay. True finesse and showing a textural mid-palate with … Read More